BHEL goes green to cut Energy Bills

Public sector undertaking giant BHEL which is grappling with depleting order book and increasing overheads have decided to embark on green project to reduce energy dependence and cut energy bills. Company has chosen BHEL’s Bhopal and Haridwar units to take up the project forward.Aditi Gyanesh | February 25, 2016, 09:54 IST

BHOPAL | Feb 24: Public sector undertaking (PSU) giant Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) which is grappling with depleting order book and increasing overheads, have decided to embark on green project to reduce energy dependence and cut energy bills. Company has chosen BHEL’s Bhopal and Haridwar units to take up the project forward and promote use of non-conventional source of energy.

“BHEL, Bhopal has been working in the direction of energy conservation since September 2015. From rooftop solar panels on most of buildings to motion sensors and from timer control for switching off lights in office as soon as the last person moves out to holding awareness programmes; every possible step is being taken to bring down the energy consumption,” said TG Chouragade, general manager, HR at BHEL, Bhopal.

“Haridwar and Bhopal are the first two centres, that have started applying innovative methods to check the rising energy expenses. Instructions in this regard had come from head office,” he said.

“We will also be establishing a 10 mega watt solar plant at Jambooree maidan and 100 kilowatt rooftop solar panel on all four schools in the township, besides a 650 kw rooftop solar power system inside factory on suitable building roof,” added Rajeev Sarna, additional general manager, excellence enhancement centre.

For successful implementation of the project, BHEL will also be using both natural and LED lights to lighten up the office, township buildings and street lights in BHEL township.

Apart from installation of solar panels, which will play a major role in pulling down energy cost, three annexe buildings have already been installed with time controllers, which will automatically switch off the light of buildings at 8pm, except that of GMs’ cabin. Parks, in future, will only use solar or LED lights and companies selling LED lights will be setting up stalls of products which will be sold at 30% rebate. This is planned to promote the used of LED lights among township residents. Kiosks will be provided for free to them in Govindpura, Piplani, Berkhera and Habibganj areas for selling products.

PK Mishra, additional general manager, accounts department, said, “Besides technical innovations, we are also holding awareness programmes at schools, clubs, employees union meets and different cultural programmes. An ‘urja geet‘ (energy song) has also been written and sung by BHEL employee Chandra Mohan Sharma, which includes the message of judicious use of natural energy sources and renewable energy sources.”

Consumption:

BHEL factory area consumes about 50 lakh units of power. It accounts for bill of about 60 crore.

BHEL township area consumes about 30 lakh units of power. It accounts for bill of about 24 crore.

Target:

To save 5% of the total energy being used at present

SAVING ENERGY THE SMART WAY

1. Smart grid system will help in control and recording of electrical energy distribution. One can keep tab on energy he is using.

2. Motion sensors in all offices (All the lights will be automatically switched off when the last person moves out of office).

3. Mancoolers will stop working automatically to save energy between 12 and 1 pm, which is the lunch hour

4. 10 megawatt solar plant at Jamboori maidan

5. Rooftop solar panels in all its schools

6. Old system has been renovated in Mess for hot water supply by using energy conservation method.

7. 650 kW rooftop solar power system inside factory on suitable building roofs

8. All the street lights to have LED bulbs by next year.

9. All block overhead lights will shift to LEDs and natural lights in the blocks will be improved.

10. Boundary walls around BHEL factory to carry messages of energy conservation. Boards spreading the green message to be put up in parks.